Accra, Ghana – Parliament has approved a US$300 million credit facility between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to support the transformation of the country’s secondary education sector.
The financing agreement, which was approved after consideration by the House, is expected to significantly improve access to quality secondary education while enhancing the relevance of education to Ghana’s labour market needs.
The facility, officially known as the Secondary Education for Transformation, Access, Relevance and Results for Jobs Project, will support the government’s efforts to expand educational opportunities, improve learning outcomes, and equip students with the skills required for employment and national development.
Presenting the report of Parliament’s Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Isaac Adongo, explained that the credit facility is designed to increase equitable access to secondary education across the country. He said the project will also support government’s commitment to eliminating the double-track system introduced under the Free Senior High School programme by expanding infrastructure and improving the capacity of schools to accommodate more students.
According to Hon. Adongo, the project will also focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning in senior high schools as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. He noted that the initiative seeks to ensure that graduates acquire practical and industry-relevant skills that will better prepare them for the job market and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
The Finance Committee, he added, was satisfied that the agreement aligns with Ghana’s broader education sector reforms and development priorities. The Committee therefore recommended that Parliament approve the facility to enable the implementation of the project.
Speaking after the approval, the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, expressed appreciation to Members of Parliament for their overwhelming support for the agreement. He described the approval as a major step toward strengthening Ghana’s education system and creating better opportunities for young people across the country.
The Education Minister stated that the investment will help government improve educational infrastructure, strengthen teaching and learning, and enhance the quality of secondary education to meet international standards. He stressed that greater emphasis would also be placed on ensuring that TVET programmes are responsive to the needs of industry, thereby improving graduate employability.
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu further noted that investing in education remains one of the government’s most important priorities, adding that the facility would contribute to building a skilled and competitive workforce capable of driving Ghana’s economic transformation.
Education stakeholders have consistently called for increased investment in infrastructure, teacher development and curriculum reforms to address challenges affecting secondary education. The newly approved World Bank-supported programme is therefore expected to complement ongoing reforms aimed at making secondary education more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the demands of a modern economy.
The approval of the US$300 million facility underscores Parliament’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote quality education, expand opportunities for young people and strengthen human capital development. Once implemented, the project is expected to improve learning outcomes, expand access to secondary education, enhance the quality of TVET programmes and create a stronger link between education and employment.
The agreement also represents another milestone in the longstanding partnership between Ghana and the World Bank in advancing education sector reforms and promoting sustainable national development through investment in human capital.